A Black real estate investor filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Marin County and its chief building official, alleging racially motivated targeting through permitting requirements. The investor sold a floating home in 2019 without permitting issues while partnered with a white business partner, but later encountered problems when identified as Black. The complaint alleges Waldo Point Harbor residents petitioned the board and the chief building official intercepted plans and worked with supervisors to change municipal code to target the projects. Attorneys assert the investor faced ad hoc regulations not in the code, such as pre-move inspections. The board tightened floating-home regulations in February 2024.
This is a place I wanted to retire. I was very excited about being here in Marin County. I don't have that excitement anymore," said Dietrick Burks.
I was just shocked. I couldn't believe that in today's society, in the world that we live in today, that I was actually faced with having to deal with that," Burks said.
"That had not been a requirement. That was simply a gate-keeping requirement in a gate that was only used to prevent him from entering into the Sausalito marina," said attorney Adante Pointer.
The lawsuit also claims that Marin County's chief building official, William Kelley "intercepted the plans" and collaborated with the board of supervisors to change the county municipal code to target Burkes' projects.
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